parathion

noun

para·thi·on ˌper-ə-ˈthī-ən

-ˌän,

ˌpa-rə-

: an extremely toxic insecticide C₁₀H₁₄NO₅PS

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The pesticides found in the highest amounts included chlorpyrifos, methyl parathion and DDT. —

Wired Staff, WIRED, 12 May 2004

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parathion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

para- + thiophosphate + -on entry 1

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of parathion was in 1947

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parathion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parathion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

parathion

noun

para·thi·on ˌpar-ə-ˈthī-ən, -ˌän

: an extremely toxic thiophosphate insecticide C₁₀H₁₄NO₅PS

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